Audrey Gomez
Last-minute donations have come through for the Sweet Home branch of the Boys & Girls Club.
Though the deadline to raise $120,000 by June 30 seemed out of reach – the club was $27,000 short on June 19, on July 1, Kris Latimer, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Santiam announced they had met their goal.
“Yesterday we learned that several club and kids supporters in and about Sweet Home were acting to pledge the remaining $23,000 to help us reach the fundraising goal of $120,000,” Latimer said.
She thanked Ron Moore, Scott Melcher and others who aided in the effort.
“This means the club will move into the school year on solid financial ground and we will be able to provide the services and programs that families have come to depend on,” Latimer said. “Thank you, Sweet Home!”
The Sweet Home Branch Council agreed that Larry Horton, Ron Moore and Scott Melcher would represent them in the development of the Sweet Home branch budget, that fees would be adjusted as necessary to address rising costs like mandatory sick leave, and minimum wage increases, she said.
The athletics budget also will be adjusted. The branch manager position has been eliminated. The necessity of the position will be re-evaluated in 2016-17, Latimer said.
“We will continue to have the same after school program we do,” Latimer said.
The club will augment that program with the grant-funded programs that include school referrals for the elementary and junior high school programs, she added.
To support the club, complete a pledge form, which is available at the club office or by calling (541) 367-6421 or online at http://www.bgcgreatersantiam.org/get-involved.